Urinal clog removal device

ABSTRACT

A urinal clog removal device is provided. The urinal clog removal device may include a urinal flange connecting member formed of a body. The urinal flange connecting member may include slots on opposing sides configured to couple to the urinal flange connecting member to a urinal flange. The urinal flange connecting member comprises an aperture extending through the urinal flange connecting member to provide access to the urinal flange. The device may also include a hose coupled on a first end to the urinal flange connecting member with a hose connector. The hose connector of the urinal flange connecting member directs water into the urinal flange. The device may also include a valve and is coupled to a flush valve of the urinal, wherein the hose is coupled between the valve and the hose connector in order to supply water through the hose and into the urinal flange during unclogging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to plumbing clog removal device andmore particularly to a urinal clog removal device.

State of the Art

Toilets and urinals are common plumbing fixtures for removal of humanwaste. These plumbing fixtures are susceptible to clogs that inhibitproper function of fixture. Toilets can often be unclogged using aplunger or a plumbing cable without the removal of the toilet. Urinals,however, require the removal of the urinal from the wall to provideaccess to the urinal flange and allow the use of a plumbing cable toremove the clog.

When using the plumbing cable, it is often desirable to use a hose todirect water into the urinal flange and send the clog through the pipes.Further, the water may be used to clean the plumbing cable during use.The plumber must then operate the plumbing cable with one hand whileholding the hose with the other hand. This causes difficulty inoperating the plumbing cable. Additionally, the hose must be connectedto a water source that is not in the bathroom because the bathroom watermust be turned off in order to remove the urinal.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of plumbing clog removaldevices for an improved urinal clog removal device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a urinal clog removal device, whereinthe device couples to a urinal flange and further couples to a hose todirect water into the urinal flange. Further, the device includes anaperture for extending a plumbing cable there through and into theurinal flange.

An embodiment may include a urinal clog removal device comprising aurinal flange connecting member configured to couple to a urinal flange,the urinal flange connecting member comprising an aperture extendingthrough the urinal flange member to provide access to the urinal flange;and a hose coupled on a first end to the urinal flange connectingmember, wherein the urinal flange connecting member comprises a hoseconnector to direct water into the urinal flange.

Another embodiment may include a urinal clog removal device comprising aurinal flange connecting member formed of a body comprises slots onopposing sides, the urinal flange connecting member configured to coupleto a urinal flange by use of connectors engaging the slots, wherein theurinal flange connecting member comprises an aperture extending throughthe urinal flange member to provide access to the urinal flange; and ahose coupled on a first end to a hose connector of the urinal flangeconnecting member, wherein the hose connector directs water into theurinal flange.

Another embodiment may include a method of removing a clog in a urinal,the method comprising removably coupling a urinal clog removal device toa urinal flange; coupling a hose to the urinal clog removal device;extending a plumbing cable through the urinal clog removal device tounclog the urinal; and directing water through the hose and into theurinal flange to direct material unclogged through the pipes.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a urinal clog removal device;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a urinal flange connecting member of a urinalclog removal device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a urinal flange connecting member of aurinal clog removal device;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a urinal flange connecting member of a urinalclog removal device; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of unclogging a urinal in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to aurinal clog removal device, wherein the device couples to a urinalflange and further couples to a hose to direct water into the urinalflange. Further, the device includes an aperture for extending aplumbing cable there through and into the urinal flange.

Embodiments of the present invention have been provided to allow aplumber to unclog a urinal more easily. The urinal clog removal deviceallows a plumber to use both hands to operate the plumbing cable tobreak up the clog and further to have direct control over the flow ofwater into the urinal flange.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of anembodiment of a urinal clog removal. The urinal clog removal device 10comprises a urinal flange connecting member 12, a hose 20 and a valve30.

With further reference to FIGS. 2-4, the urinal flange connecting member12 may include a body 13, slots 14 formed on opposing sides of the body13, a hose connector 16 and an aperture 18. The slots 14, while shown asslots extending through the end of the body 13, may also compriseslotted apertures or circular apertures extending through the body 13.The slots 14 allow for mounting rods 44 of a urinal flange 40 mounted tothe wall 48 to extend to a front side of the body 13. Then connectors,such as nuts may be coupled to the mounting rods 44 in order toremovably couple to the urinal flange connecting member 12 to the urinalflange 40. Coupling the urinal flange connecting member 12 to urinalflange 40 creates a seal between the body 13 and a gasket of the urinalflange 40. This seal prevent water from flowing onto the ground andmaking a mess of the work area.

The aperture 18 extends through the body 13 and is of sufficient size toallow a plumbing cable 46 to extend through the body 13 and into theurinal flange 40. The aperture 18 aligns with the opening of the urinalflange 40 when the urinal flange connecting member 12 is coupled to theurinal flange 40. A plumber can utilize two hands to operate theplumbing cable to extend and operate the plumbing cable 46 within theurinal flange 40 and pipes connected thereto within the wall 48.

The hose connector 16 comprises a first end 15 configured to couple to afirst end 22 of the hose 20. The hose connector 16 may be coupled to thebody 13 adjacent the aperture 18. The hose connector provides fluidcommunication from the front of the body 13 to the back of the body 13through opening 19. Accordingly, water running through the hose 20 whencoupled to the hose connector 16 will flow through the hose connector 19and out of opening 14. When the urinal flange connecting member 12 iscoupled to the urinal flange 40, the opening 19 in the body 13 isaligned with the opening of the urinal flange 40 to allow for waterflowing through opening 19 to be directed into the urinal flange 40. Asshown in the drawings, the hose connector 16 is angled in its connectionto the body 13. This angle allows the plumber to connect the hose in alocation so as to not to interfere with the aperture 18 and inhibit useof the plumbing cable 46. While the hose connector 16 is shown at anangle, it will be understood that the hose connector 16 can be locatedat any angel with respect to the urinal flange connecting member 12without deviating from the intended use of the present invention.Additionally, the hose connector 16 may be any type of hose connector solong as the hose connector directs water into the urinal flange 40.

The valve 30 may be coupled to a urinal flush valve 42 extending from awall 48. The valve 30 may have a control knob 32 to control on and offof the water flow as well as how fast the water flows. A second end 24of the hose 20 may be coupled to the valve 30. In at least this way, theplumber may use the water source within the bathroom to direct waterinto the urinal flange 40. The valve 30 allows for the plumber to start,stop and control speed of water flow into the urinal flange 40. Thedevice 10 as a whole allows for directing water into the urinal flange40 without the use of a handle of the plumber, thereby allowing theplumber to utilize both hands to operate the plumbing cable 46.Additionally, the use of the valve 30 eliminates the need to run a longhose to an external water supply by allowing the plumber to use thewater supply right above the urinal flange 40.

It will be understood that while certain shapes of components are shown,the present invention is not limited to the shapes shown and described.Any shape of component is acceptable so long as it performs the intendedfunction.

Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart showing amethod 50 of unclogging a urinal. The method 50 may include removablycoupling a urinal clog removal device to a urinal flange (Step 51);coupling a hose to the urinal clog removal device (Step 52); extending aplumbing cable through the urinal clog removal device to unclog theurinal (Step 53); and directing water through the hose and into theurinal flange to direct material unclogged through the pipes (Step 54).

The method 50 may include additional steps. Step 52 of coupling the hoseto the urinal clog removal device comprises coupling the hose to a hoseconnector of the urinal clog removal device.

Method 50 may also comprise connecting a valve of the urinal clogremoval device to a flush valve of the urinal; and coupling the hose tothe valve of the urinal clog removal device. The method 50 may alsocomprise controlling water directed into the urinal flange by use of thevalve.

Method 50 may also include a step of removing a urinal from the urinalflange prior to removably coupling the urinal clog removal device to theurinal flange. Additionally, Step 54 of directing water through the hoseinto the urinal flange may further comprise cleaning the plumbing cablewith the water. For example, the method 50 may include directing waterfrom the hose connector to the plumbing cable while pulling the plumbingcable out the urinal drain and urinal flange. This allows the plumbingcable to be cleaned from any urine buildup transferred to the plumbingcable during the unclogging process and keeps the plumbing cable fromobtaining foul odors.

The components defining any urinal clog removal device may be formed ofany of many different types of materials or combinations thereof thatcan readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the componentsselected are consistent with the intended operation of a urinal clogremoval device. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers(synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such asfiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/orother like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS,Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene,Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, PhenolicResin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper,iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel,aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys,such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy,any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitablematerial; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any urinal clog removal device maybe purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and thenassembled together. However, any or all of the components may bemanufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another.Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involveextrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding,resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling,drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending,welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or thelike. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they maythen be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, aweld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin,and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like forexample, depending on, among other considerations, the particularmaterial forming the components. Other possible steps might include sandblasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hardanodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A urinal clog removal device comprising: aurinal flange connecting member configured to couple to a urinal flange,the urinal flange connecting member comprising: an aperture extendingthrough the urinal flange connecting member to provide access to theurinal flange; and a hose connector configured to couple to a hose todirect water into the urinal flange.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe urinal flange connecting member comprises a body.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the body of the urinal flange connecting membercomprises slots on opposing sides.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein theurinal flange connecting member is coupled to the urinal flange by useof connectors engaging the slots.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thehose connector comprises a first end configured to couple to a hose anda second end coupled to the urinal flange connecting member.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a valve.
 7. The device of claim 5,wherein the valve is coupled to a flush valve of a urinal.
 8. The deviceof claim 6, wherein the hose is coupled on a second end to the valve. 9.A urinal clog removal device comprising: a urinal flange connectingmember comprising: a body having slots on opposing sides, wherein theurinal flange connecting member is configured to couple to a urinalflange by use of connectors engaging the slots; an aperture extendingthrough the urinal flange connecting member to provide access to theurinal flange; and a hose connector; and a hose coupled on a first endto the hose connector of the urinal flange connecting member, whereinthe hose connector directs water into the urinal flange.
 10. The deviceof claim 9, wherein the hose connector comprises a first end configuredto couple to a hose and a second end coupled to the urinal flangeconnecting member.
 11. The device of claim 9, further comprising avalve.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the valve is coupled to aflush valve of a urinal.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the hose iscoupled on a second end to the valve.
 14. A method of removing a clog ina urinal, the method comprising: removably coupling a urinal clogremoval device to a urinal flange; coupling a hose to the urinal clogremoval device; extending a plumbing cable through the urinal clogremoval device to unclog the urinal; and directing water through thehose and into the urinal flange to direct material unclogged through thepipes.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling the hose to theurinal clog removal device comprises coupling the hose to a hoseconnector of the urinal clog removal device.
 16. The method of claim 14,further comprising connecting a valve of the urinal clog removal deviceto a flush valve of the urinal.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising coupling the hose to the valve of the urinal clog removaldevice.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling waterdirected into the urinal flange by use of the valve.
 19. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising removing a urinal from the urinal flangeprior to removably coupling the urinal clog removal device to the urinalflange.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein directing water through thehose into the urinal flange further comprises cleaning the plumbingcable with the water.